Tartlet!

As you know, I turned down that job offer and a few days later, the guy phoned me to find out if I'd be willing to speak to the big boss (currently on holiday in the US) as he'd emailed through my decline with reasons and big boss now wanted to talk to me.

Uh oh.

Of course I said yes. So that meeting is happening on Monday.

Meanwhile, things are a little bit different around here.

My own boss said that he's taking my intent to find meaningful work a lot more seriously (good!) and is committed to helping me.

I personally feel a lot more confident, like "at least SOMEONE wanted me".

But here's what I want to discuss with you...

We have a new principal in our team. When we were told she was joining, it was just, "L is joining as a principal on such and such date" but....... it actually seems like she is second in charge to my boss!!!

The reason I say this is she's delegating work left, right and centre which is technically fine but I don't like taking orders (yes, I have issues) from people especially where there's no clarity around role.


And this is the thing that's bugging me.

Yesterday we had a meeting and there is a very senior principal in our team who used to head up a business unit before but came to our team because she wanted a half day position. She's since back on full days.  (Nat, when we had our last lunch, it was the person with my boss when they came over to say hello).

And she was even being dictated to and got work delegated...

I felt so uncomfortable like the natural order was thrown out of whack.

I know, I know, it's not even me but I'm Defender of the Underdog :) I want to say, "what on EARTH is going on here? K ran our most profitable JV for 3 years"

But I need to treat carefully so I'm simply observing all the vibes and undercurrents (don't you just love corporate?!). Inside I'm going, "hmmm..."

I know all too well how quickly the "temperature" of a team changes with people moving around.

OH! The new broom called me a "tartlet" the other day as a joke. I immediately said, "what did you just call me?! I don't allow people to speak to me like that" (it was said in a jokey voice but we all knew it's not a joke - I really don't like that type of talk about me)


So I'm going to actually make notes for my meeting on Monday because if it looks like they're still keen, I'm keeping my options open. I will be firm on my non-negotiables but open to new arrangements.

Also, another ex-member of our team moved to another section last year while I was on maternity leave. We used to go eat dessert in the canteen at least once a week as we both have a sweet tooth :) Anyway, he's been recently promoted and has 3 people reporting to him. Very happy for him although he's stressed because he hates conflict and the new reports are giving him some uphill.

Just a reminder to me that taking chances is good and that could have been me!

What would you have said to the tartlet reference?